WWC10 x DAY6 x ARG v SPN

Grudge match? Could have though that was the case with the sudden influx of crowd for the game between Argentina and Spain. The stands were looking about 30% capacity in this weather that could be compared to ice in wind (ie Snow) but moments before the start it filled up to maximum.

This game would have been predicted to be one sided.

It was.

Argentina started in control, held control and finished every aspect with control. The Spanish team looked like it was trying to take away the dominant run from the Argentina forward line and midfield with strong marking and agression. What this meant was that Spain were playing Argentina’s game, not theirs.

Argentina kept running with the ball and space just opened up, allowing shots on goal as well and short corners aplenty.

When Alejandra Gulla netted the second goal of the game (Arg 2 – 0 Spain) she replicated her achievement against the same team in 2006. It was enough to break the back of the Spaniards.

Marine Russo was arguably the best on ground with her movement and control between the midfield and the deep attack, taking some direct shots on goal herself.

In the end, the game was all one way traffic and the crowd loved it, even though the weather just wont let up.

Argentina 4, Spain 0

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

WWC10 x DAY3 x S.AF v SPN

The underdogs South Africa come into a game against Spain who took England to the line a few days ago. On paper and in past results this game should be with Spain.

Well…

Out of retirement Gryphon great Pietie COETZEE decided to make it two goals from two games and slot in another beautiful flick to take her South African team to the lead early.

It was full on running and attack for the rest of the game with Spain showing they should not be forgotten and took another goal back. All the achieved was more run, more desperation. What we were shown was a spectacular flying goal that sent South Africa into the lead late in the game. A lead that was strongly defended as well as full attack with Coetzee having a few more shots from corners.

In an amazing game South Africa take the points. The emotion on the girls showed in a brilliant post match display.

South Africa 2, Spain 1.

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

WWC10 x DAY1 x ENG v SPN

The first day of games are underway here in Rosario and none bigger than the home nation playing as the headliner. As I write this, the sounds of singing and dancing and drums are deafening into the press centre.

England being a high seed played a much lower seeded country in Spain. Gryphon’s Kate Walsh lead the English onto the pitch ready to take the big steps into this World Cup campaign. Spain decided to rain on her parade with an early goal which created a goal for goal first half. It was all tied up until the final 4 seconds of the half when the English took a very well worked field goal to take the lead 3 to 2.

That was pretty much all we saw of goals. The game was pretty even in the second with the starting small crowd swelling greatly as it progressed. As the sun set and the lights came on, England took the win 3 goals to 2.

Earlier in the day Korea upset China with a 2 goal to 1 win.

CT10 x DAY6 x ALL FINALS x VIDEO REPLAYS x THANKS

And so it is. The Champion has been crowned for another year, legends made and destroyed, stars born and others have faded.

The CT10 has been one of the highest scoring tournaments in the history of the game. Hockey has never looked so good, been so fast and exciting as what we just witnessed over the past 9 days. Gryphon was there every day to photograph this monumental tournament to bring you closer than ever before to one of the great major events in World Hockey. We reported on the story behind the game, the characters that give identity to the sport we love and those that represent our great brand with passion and pride.

We need to send a massive shout out to photog Daniel ‘DC’ Carson whom spent countless hours behind the lens to capture some truly great moments in time. He has befriended many of the teams and gets access to area’s that others dream to walk. Also to the crew at the Gryphon Store that were there all week welcoming the fans and showing off the best that we have to offer. They explain the product and R&D behind our weapons like no one else so hopefully the faithful, fanatical and punters alike got to experience the vibe of our brand and the movement of our company.

In the end we think this tournament has been a great success on many level’s and that Hockey has never looked so good. A final shout out needs to go to the G-Team, the Gryphon players that were out there all tournament representing themselves, their team, country and the Gryphon name. You guys are the reason the fans come and the reason they’ll return. Awesome stuff.

Finally, if you missed any of the action, you can watch the full match of your choice on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LOLA1.tv and be sure to watch out for the Gryphon crew representing and tearing it up .Click on the game of interest below, sit back, relax and enjoy!

FINAL AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

3rd/4th NETHERLANDS v GERMANY

5th/6th SPAIN v NEW ZEALAND

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY5 x ALL GAMES x MATCH REPLAYS ONLINE x FREE

Day 5 of the CT10 was a day where 4 teams could stand up and qualify for the final against Australia should they win. Everyone of the three matches played were effectively a semi final, pending other results and the scores of those games.

Watch the full match of your choice on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LAOLA1.tv and keep an eye out for the Gryphon crew representing and  tearing it up on Day 5 of this goal scoring festival that is the  CT10. Click on the game of interest below, sit back, relax and enjoy!

AUSTRALIA v SPAIN

NETHERLANDS v GERMANY

ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x BOSCO x VID INTERVIEW

Bosco Perez-Pla de Alvear, a young and upcoming defender for Spain stops to have a talk about his game and the future of Spanish Hockey, after their win over New Zealand.

CT10 x FINALS x NZ v SPN

If you thought that the game for 5th and 6th was a non-event, you’d be wrong. Both New Zealand and Spain yesterday were fighting for a place in the Final but as this is an exceptionally tight tournament they fight for relegation avoidance.

Fiery. Intense. Fast. Vocal. All these words can be used to describe this game. New Zealand broke early and looked likely the run the Spanish off their feet, creating a heap of field goal and corner chances. Against play the Spanish tied the game and the large crowd was left none the wiser at half time.

Relegation is a powerful motivator in its ability for a deterrent. Spain took control of the game and scored with efficiency. All this did was spark more NZ attack, but what looked like a growing confidence in this event was stifled over and over with great Spanish defense until Simon Child once again broke through scoring to make more tension around this game.

Spain saw the rise of tempo from New Zealand and countered with everything they could to stop them, using the video referral system time and time again with success.  In the end time slipped away from a very frustrated New Zealand but very happy Spain, who with another young team, could have easily gone further in this tournament. Spain survive, only just, for next years Champions Trophy but New Zealand will be relegated once more to the Champions Challenge.

New Zealand 2 (6th), Spain 3 (5th)

Want to hear Bosco’s take on the game and tournament? Watch on..

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY5 x AUS v SPN

The Aussies are on form. Beat all comers in this Tournament so far and in the Final no matter this result. Spain are safe from relegation but with Germany losing to Holland they require a win still to progress to the Final to play Australia again.

As per usual the Aussies played fast, skilled and attacking hockey. Beggers and Pato were both resting today so the team was a little down on personelle. It took a while for the goals to come, but two happened five minutes before half time, with Spain’s coming from a field goal with 3 seconds on the clock. Not what the Aussies would like to take into the change-rooms.

Supposedly the Octopus with physic powers had channelled a German fan and said Australia would score more in the second. This German also giggled like an cartoon villain  everytime the ball came to the Australian attack.

He was right and Australia took control of the game to stamp an amazing 5 straight wins in the Champions Trophy. A clean sweep! They have beaten all comers and that has to give them a lot of confidence into tomorrow’s Final against England.

Australia 3, Spain 1

Will we see Graeme Begbie tomorrow come into the defense for the Aussie’s and use his telescopic tackling powers against England’s sharp-shooter James Tindall?

Final Standings after the round robin stage see an AUS v ENG final, GER v NED for third place and ESP v NZ fighting to avoid relegation for the CT2011

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY4 x ALL GAMES x MATCH REPLAYS ONLINE x FREE

Day 4 of the CT10 had the World #1 Australia play the World #2 Germany. Last time these two teams meet on this field was the classic match of the WC06 final where Germany came from 1-3 behind to win 4-3 is what has been dubbed as one of the best finals in world hockey…Ever.

Netherlands played England and Spain took on New Zealand…Upsets in the making? This CT10 has so far averaged 7.5 goals per game, so we’d say you better watch on as the goals scoring trend continues!

Watch the full match of your choice on demand for free courtesy of FIH and LOLA1.tv and keep an eye out for the Gryphon crew tearing it up on Day 4 of the incredible CT10. Click on the game of interest below, sit back, relax and enjoy!

GERMANY v AUSTRALIA

NETHERLANDS v ENGLAND

SPAIN v NEW ZEALAND

Cheers, The G-Team

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org

CT10 x DAY4 x NZ v SPN

Spain are just touching distance from second on the table after their great win over Germany. New Zealand themselves are back into the fold since their win over Holland. This game will decide the futures of these two team’s chances for a final.

The game did not disappoint. Full of chances, goals and excitement New Zealand are showing that they can grow and mix it with the best.

Let’s not forget that Spain are the current Silver Olympic Medalists. So, they started as you’d expect but the New Zealand had no intentions on letting this one go as in the last seconds of the first half Simon Child once again stikes to score and kept the scores level at 2 goals a piece.

The teams both played hard hockey with pressure and this actually lead to a game with a lot of agression on the pitch. New Zealand entered the final bend looking strong with a one goal lead and another great upset on the cards. Spain did what NZ achieved in the first half and were awarded a Penalty Corner in the last seconds, which they converted.

A draw was the final result but you get the feeling it was New Zealand’s game to win.

Photos: Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org

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